The third day of the Multan Test saw Pakistan take a commanding position against England, capitalizing on their earlier successes. After decisively bowling England out for 291 runs in their first innings, Pakistan faced challenges in their second innings but managed to gain an early advantage.
England Bowled Out for 291
In the first session of play, England’s batting lineup crumbled, ending their first innings at 291 runs. This performance left Pakistan with a substantial lead of 75 runs. Sajid Khan was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming 7 wickets and solidifying his role as a key player in the match. Nauman Ali also contributed with 3 wickets, effectively dismantling the English batting order.
As England struggled, they lost wickets in quick succession during their innings. Notably, England’s seventh wicket fell at 248 runs, followed shortly by the eighth at 256 runs, both wickets taken by the impressive Sajid Khan. Jamie Smith was dismissed for 21 runs, marking the fall of England’s ninth wicket at 262 runs, with the final wicket falling at 291.
Pakistan’s Second Innings
Following their success with the ball, Pakistan began their second innings but faced immediate difficulties. Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for just 4 runs, leaving the team reeling at 9 runs for the first wicket. The situation worsened before lunch as Pakistan lost their second wicket at 25 runs and the third at 43 runs. Shan Masood managed to contribute only 11 runs, while Saeem Ayub scored 22.
Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan still had the upper hand, having set a target for England to chase. With a lead established from their first innings total of 366 runs, the pressure was on England to respond effectively in their second innings.
Recap of Pakistan’s First Innings
In their first innings, Pakistan showcased remarkable batting prowess. Kamran Ghulam, in his debut Test match, scored an impressive century, while Saeem Ayub added a valuable 77 runs. This strong performance set a solid foundation for Pakistan and allowed them to dictate the terms of the game.
Context of the Series
This Test match is particularly crucial as England had won the first Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. With this backdrop, Pakistan’s strong position in Multan is vital for leveling the series and regaining momentum.
As the match progresses, Pakistan’s focus will be on building a competitive total in their second innings, while England will aim to regroup and respond effectively to the challenges posed by the Pakistani bowlers.
Conclusion
With the Multan Test poised at a critical juncture, the coming days will be essential for both teams. Pakistan’s bowlers have set the tone with their exceptional performances, while their batting lineup will need to stabilize in the second innings. As the match unfolds, cricket fans can expect an exciting contest, with both teams striving for dominance in this closely contested series.
